Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his testimony on Tuesday in the corruption cases against him at the Tel Aviv District Court, setting into motion the trial's defense phase.
Netanyahu opened his remarks with a statement: "I waited eight years for this moment. I tell the truth as I remember it, which is important for justice. I read only a little bit, from what I managed to until now, and it's an ocean of absurdity. I want to talk about it and I want to testify.
"I really want to do this and I hope they won't interrupt me. As was said here, I am also the Prime Minister and I run the country. I lead the State of Israel and the IDF in a war on seven fronts and I believed and still believe that it is possible to do two things at once," he added.
The Prime Minister claimed that "a few days ago, a tectonic event happened here that hasn't happened since the Sykes-Picot Agreement. A reality-changing event that has historic implications, not only for the State of Israel but for all of the superpowers. It is possible to find a balance between the needs of the trial and those of the state. I am running a marathon. I can run with 20 kg on my back or with 10 kg on my back."
He addressed claims that he acts hedonistically. "When I lost the elections, there was no disaster. I went out to a life of freedom that I hadn't known since I entered public life. Suddenly I was free. I could travel anywhere in the world and we did. I took the kids to Disney Land, to Australia. There were trips, moments of leisure, and meals, it was great, just great. If I wanted enjoyment I would have stayed. To a large extent, the public mission called me and I asked myself what to do. I lived a life of luxury, I also made a nice salary for the first time in my life. I thought, "At 50, is that the purpose of your life? That's what you inherited from your father, your grandfather, your brother, and the people of Israel? This is what the citizens of Israel expect from you, you have what to give - so go back to the state. Go back to the coal mine. Drill in the mountain.' It's a great effort.
"Not enjoyment and not hedonism - it's just laughable. But it also causes a great injustice to my wife who carries this burden. My wife sustains attacks, vilification, and character assassination like no other Prime Minister's wife ever did and probably ever will."
At the start of the hearing, the head of Netanyahu's defense Atty. Amit Hadad stated: "Nearly five years ago, this indictment was filed against Prime Minister Netanyahu. The head prosecutor, Atty. Liat Ben-Ari stood here and read a long indictment. She connected the three accusations somehow and laid before you deeds that she said she intended to pay off during the prosecution. These deeds - were never paid off by the head prosecutor. The prosecution totally failed: nothing from the head prosecutor's opening statements was proven in the court. The total opposite happened."
He added: "We are happy about the opportunity to present our evidence. The Prime Minister will tell things as he saw them, in real-time without filters. They said he didn't want to come - he wanted to come and lay out the truth as he sees it in an orderly manner. In contrast to the prosecutor's statements, we see this indictment totally differently. We read the indictment again, and we found more and more peculiar and strange things in it."
The testimony will be given in a fortified courtroom in Tel Aviv even though the case is being tried in the Jerusalem District Court. The decision was made so Netanyahu could deliver his testimony in a location that fits his security needs.
Netanyahu is expected to take the stand on Wednesday as well, together with additional defense witnesses. The testimony phase is expected to continue for several weeks and possibly even months. The hearings will be held three times a week - on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
During a press conference on Monday, The Prime Minister addressed claims that he wants to avoid trial. "I want to avoid trial? Nonsense! For eight years I've been waiting for this day, to dissolve the baseless accusations. There was no crime, so they searched for a crime."
Over the past few weeks, Netanyahu tried to reduce the time he would have to be present in court, but the judges did not accept his request. Cabinet members and other ministers also sent requests to the Attorney General and the court, but they were refused as well.
